A new year always brings fresh excitement for Apple fans, and 2026 promises to be no different. As rumours and leaks begin to surface for this year’s product lineup, all eyes are on the Apple headquarters wondering what they have in store for us. Among the first launches of the year will be iPhone 17e and rumours around its design and specifications are in full swing. Let’s take a look at some of these alleged features of Apple’s next affordable iPhone.
First up, the design changes. One of the biggest upgrades in the upcoming iPhone 17e design is the move to the Dynamic Island, replacing the traditional notch. This is a big deal because it brings the modern look of Apple’s higher-end phones to the more affordable ‘e’ model.
Moving on to what lies beneath the surface, we can also expect a chip upgrade. The rumours point to Apple packing the new A19 chip into the iPhone 17e. This is the same chip family used in the standard iPhone 17, but it’s likely to be just very slightly less efficient compared to the higher end models. If true, this should give the 17e noticeably better speed and performance compared to the A18-based iPhone 16e.
While design and performance are getting attention, there are a few areas where the 17e might remain similar to its predecessor. The display size is expected to stay at 6.1 inches with an OLED panel and a 60Hz refresh rate—meaning no buttery-smooth high refresh rate like on pricier iPhones. That’s one way Apple may keep costs down, even with the new look and chip upgrade.
Another very important aspect is the camera setup. The leaks suggest the 17e will continue with a single rear camera, likely a 48MP sensor, paired with a 12MP front camera. This is possibly another way to keep the cost in the “affordable” range and while it’s no rival to the other phones in this range that offer multi-lens systems—at the end of the day, it’s still an Apple camera, so it is still bound to be pretty great.
In conclusion, the upcoming iPhone 17e seems poised to offer a nice mix of fresh design and meaningful upgrades without jumping into flagship territory. The Dynamic Island and A19 chip are the highlights that could make this model more appealing than its predecessor. As always with leaks, we can never be too sure of what’s to come, but the iPhone 17e so far seems like a good incoming deal.
